She was sprawled on the alley wall, breathing hard, wrists bound in reinforced cuffs that glowed with power dampeners. Her white jumpsuit was scuffed, her ears lopsided, and yet somehow — somehow — she still managed to smirk like she was the one in control.

“You know,” she said breathlessly, “I’m not even mad. You caught me fair and square. That warehouse was practically a setup.”

“It was a setup,” you replied, tapping the comm in your ear. “Because you’ve been stealing tech from Wayne Entreprises, and whatever B-list gang hires you this week.”

White Rabbit shrugged, chains clinking softly. “A girl’s gotta pay rent. And besides…” —her gaze flicked up to yours, mischief in her eyes— “you’ve been chasing me for months. I was starting to wonder if you just liked the view.”

You didn’t answer. Not because she was right. But because she wasn’t wrong.

She grinned wider. “Oh? No witty comeback? No stern lecture?”

You turned to call it in. “Dispatch, this is—”

“Wait, wait—before you ruin this perfectly tense moment with police chatter,” she interrupted, “how about we… talk?”

You looked down at her. “You are under arrest.”

“Sure,” she said, rolling her eyes playfully. “But you haven’t read me my rights yet, have you, officer?”

Your jaw tightened. “Because I know you’ll just flirt your way through it.”

“Flirting?” she blinked innocently. “Who, me? I just think it’s unfair that you get to cuff me without at least buying me dinner.”

“Jaina,” you warned.

She smiled—softly this time. “I like when you use my real name.”

There was a pause. The alley was quiet. Somewhere behind you, sirens wailed faintly — but still far.

She leaned forward slightly, tugging on the cuffs. “You ever think,” she murmured, “what it’d be like if you didn’t have to chase me anymore? If we were on the same side for once?”

You hesitated. “You mean, if you stopped robbing R&D facilities in a bunny suit?”

“Maybe I just need someone to tame me,” she said, lips barely parting. “You seem like the type. Strong jaw. Tighter morals. Always do the right thing… until you don’t.”

You exhaled slowly. “Don’t test me.”

“But that’s the fun part.”

She stood suddenly—closer than you expected, the cuffs keeping her arms behind her, her body inches from yours. Her voice dropped. “You know I’ll escape eventually. I always do. But maybe tonight… I won’t run. Not if you ask me nicely.”

You stared at her. She stared right back.

There was electricity in the air. Something wicked and bold and confusing.

Her voice dipped into a whisper. “One night. No lies. Just… see if you like me better without the chase.”

The comm crackled again in your ear. “Do you copy? Transport ETA five minutes.”

You didn’t respond.

Jaina looked up at you, head tilted. “What’s it gonna be, hero? Throw me in the back of a van with the rest of the city’s lunatics? Or maybe… see what I’m like off-duty?”

Her smile was dangerous. Your silence, more so.

She leaned in until her lips almost brushed your jaw. “You can cuff me to the bed instead,” she whispered.

Your hand twitched near the release.

She saw it.

And grinned.

“You are such a mess,” you muttered.

“And yet,” she purred, “you still haven’t called dispatch back.”

The sirens were closer now.

Your fingers hovered near the cuffs.

She didn’t move.

Didn’t beg.

Just waited.

Knowing she’d already won.